• …arrest notorious bandit, five others in Zamfara

Troops of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) have arrested 237 oil thieves and bunkers during several operations conducted recently.

The number of arrests was the highest made by troops in a week against economic saboteurs in the region in recent times.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye announced this in a statement over the weekend.

According to the defence spokesman, troops foiled oil theft worth over N241 million.

He said, “The breakdown indicates: 230,400 litres of stolen crude oil, 13,000 litres of illegally refined Diesel and 2,500 litres of Petrol,” Kangye said.

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“Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 30 crude oil cooking ovens, 28 dugout pits, 2 boats, 7 storage tanks, 14 drums, 8 vehicles and 14 illegal refining sites. Furthermore, 237 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives were also recovered.”

Giving an update on successes in other parts of the country, Gen. Kangye said the military and personnel of the Department of State Service (DSS) have arrested terrorist bandit Mohammed Matazu (AKA Mamiyo), and five others in Matazu and Maru Local Government Areas of Katsina and Zamfara States.

According to the defence spokesman, the troops recovered some high-calibre weapons, illicit drugs and other logistics supplies during the operation that was conducted from July 18 to 24.

He said, “During the encounter, 106 kidnapped victims were rescued. Also, Sequel to the ongoing non-kinetic operations in Zamfara State, 32 kidnapped victims comprising 27 adult females and 5 children were released by the terrorists to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) team on 20 July 2025.”

On troops’ operation in the Northeast, Gen. Kangye said troops and a hybrid force, with support from the Nigerian Air Force, killed several Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters and arrested 13 others during operations from July 16 and 22.

He said in the general areas of Goniri, Madaganari, Amuda, Chenene, Tokumbere and Lambawa-Kalari towns in Konduga, Gwoza, Monguno, Kala-Balga, Ngazai and Bama LGAs of Borno States as well as Madagali and Michika LGAs of Adamawa State.

On the North-Central zone, Kangye said troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN, from July 17 to 21, killed some of them, arrested six and rescued 17 kidnapped victims, during a operation on militia hideout in Mangu, Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Bassa Local Government Areas of Plateau State as well as Kaura and Sanga Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

“Following an intelligence-led operation conducted in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on 19 July 2025, our gallant troops arrested a notorious gunrunner identified as Haruna Abdullahi in possession of 350 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition,” he said.

“Additionally, six other suspected criminals were also arrested between 16 to 20 July 2025 in Barkin Ladi and Jos North LGAs of Plateau State, as well as Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Investigation ongoing while recovered items in troops’ custody,” Kangye added.